The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-07-09
A GREAT DRAMA.

| AL one tIIIlc | tuOukul that was the coming dramatist of this country" remarked a well-known newspaper man in reply to an acquaintance who asked him if he had ever written for the stage. Il devoted year of my most vigorous intellectual life to the writing and polishing up of play that knew would make the fortune of any man who would put it on the stage. Twas acquainted with so many actors, and while doing dramatic work for the press had so often been asked by stars if they could do anything for me, that the difficulty of getting some one to take my play never oc- cured to me; in fact, it was ques- tion of who should be the favored man. A number of leading actors would occasionally come around and ask me to lunch with them. but I noticed that after it became hinted that I had written play, their invitations became fewer. This, how ever was not discouraging, as sup posed that they were holding them selves aloof from me because they were too modest to engage ill vulgar scramble for the first dramatic fruit of my brain. consulted no one, but after a while decided to favor rising young actor. One evening, while he and were walking down the street, l suddenly broke off with the announce men that I was going to shove my play forward. By the way, Bob said I, atfectionately taking him by the arm, I feel deep interest in you
 "'Glad to hear it.
 "And I have settled upon you to bring out my play
 "He turned pale. 1 attributed it to shock of pleasant surprise and added: Yes, old boy, have settled upon you because I know it will be in good hands,
 "I-I-'
 "sNow, don't say word,' I broke in; not word, for have studied the matter over and have decided that you are the proper man in an artistic way; and, aside from that you have done me a great many favors and l think it is time that should do something for you. Come up to my room and I'll read the play to you.
 "'Not n-n-now,' he stammered, pulling back. Tve got an engage ment'
 "'You told me that you had noth- ing to do this afternoon. Come on.'
 "'No. really I didn't think, but l tell you-'
 "'Come on,' and being stronger than he I almost dragged him to my room. i My dear fellow said l, when l had placed him in an arm chair and armed myself with my manuscript, you must not allow your modcsty to trip you up, but, lightly jumping over it you must run gaily along the pathway leading to fame
 'I had just begun on the second act, when my friend sprang to his feet and exclaimed: Look here, young fellow, I am willing to fight for a friend when I have some little chance of de- lending myself; but I was never enough of a fanatic to be martyr. |. Why, if a cyclone were offered as a prize for a tenth-rate play. you wouldn't get wind enough to operate a successful sneeze. I have suffered long enough. Good day.
 "When I had recovered from the stupefying astonishment which my friend had so sarcastically thrown upon me, clenchcd my hand, raised it, looked up at it, dragged my toes on the floor and hissed Thou poor fool! In the weakness of thy poor flesh thou hast refused to read my lines on the histrionic boards, and in the dullness of thy mind thou hast scorned the keen edge of my Attic wit. But ha, Ina, thou shalt pay for it. pay for it, ha, Ina, ha, ha.'
 q called on another actor, fellow whom I had many time puffed, but when I had made known the object of my visit he asked me to excuse him a moment. He stepped out, and five weeks elapsed before saw him again; and then, suddenly meeting him, l gave him such shock that he ran away. One of my friends asked him why he had been 90 shocked upon meeting me, and he replied: Why, l thought he was dead, and seeing him so suddenly very naturally gave me a violent turn Thought he was dead !" my friend exclaimed. Yes, thought that ne had tried t6 read his play Co some one who is not willing to stand everything and that the worst-or rather the best-had followed.' When my friend told me this, clenched my hand, raised it and missed: Fool that he is-blind fool, but a day of reckon ing is close at hand, ha, ha--ha, ha 7 william said I, turning to my friend, There is my play. Take it and-Wil-